Paramount Global owns the Star Trek franchise. This is a piece of fan fiction based on Star Trek the Next Generation characters. 

First meeting

    “Come Data,” Juliana encouraged. The sun beat down outside the Omicron Theta science colony, home of the Soong’s. Data squinted at the direct brightness of the sun. This was his first trip outside since being activated. “Let’s go for a walk. There is much to teach you.”

    “Why?” He questioned.

    “So you can see what you recognize from all the material you have been reading.” They walked around the colony looking at trees, rocks, and everything else near them. 

    “Oh look Data, a rabbit.”

    “Sylvilagus Transitionalis.”

    She stared at him, “What?”

    “New England Cottontail.”

    “Oh,” she chuckled. “No, this is an Eastern Cottontail.”

    “Sylvilous Floridanus.”

    “Correct.” She exclaimed.

    A sparkling in the distance caught his eye. “What is that?”

    “I don’t know. Let’s investigate.” She said excitedly. They walked toward the sparkling light. “How far are we from our dwellings?”

    “5.324 miles.” His answer was almost instant.

    “Inches?”

    “337,328.64.”

    “Kilometers?”

    “8.57164.”

    “Good. How far are we from the colony boundary?”

    “4.461 miles, 282,648.96 feet, 7.18221 kilometers.”

    “Why did you give me those three answers?” She was surprised.

    “You requested the same information with the last question.”

    “You anticipated I would ask you the same questions again?”

    Data stopped walking, “I do not understand….anticipated.”

    Juliana had gotten a couple steps in front of him. She turned and smiled, “to anticipate something is to foresee that something is going to occur.” 

    “Foresee?”

    She sighed, “it means to know beforehand.”

    He started walking again. “You did not specify units of measure.” 

    Juliana stopped walking again. “Wow!” She exclaimed. “Data, here is an excellent lesson in human thinking. Because you gave me information that I didn’t ask for, I assumed you anticipated that I might ask you for the same information again. Therefore; giving me unexpected information. Based on my assumptions, I added emotionally charged subtopics to a conversation, where in your mind; they didn’t exist.” She stood silent for a moment, “just for fun how many centimeters are in 4.461 miles?”

    “718,221.” He didn’t even blink when he answered.

    “You excel at computations.”

    The closer they got to the object the more it began to take shape. It was a series of three different sized cylinders standing up right. They were brown, a lighter shade than the ground around them. There were randomly placed squares on them. The sun reflecting from one square was the sparkling they saw from a distance. There were some trees in the back of the freestanding structures. “There are no other trees that look like those.” Data observed.

    “No, there are not. What does that mean?”

    “They are not indigenous to this planet.”

    “Correct.”

    “Is that a dwelling?”

    “It looks like one; however, I thought the colony was the only place where residents lived?”

    “Perhaps this one is not a member of the colony?”

    “Very good observation. That is different. Different prospectives are good in solving problems. Though I don’t think that is possible.”

    “Why?”

    “We would have known about it. We have sensors all over the planet. We would have picked up the seismic activity from this being erected. The seismographs are so sensitive they can pick up someone walking.” 

    “You mean these things?”

    Juliana jumped, gasping. This confused Data. Behind them stood a lady. She didn’t look like anyone from the colony. She had on a white sundress with large multi-colored flowers on it, with a notched hem. White shoes and a white duchess hat finished her attire. She had long flowing red hair. It blew gently in the breeze. She was holding a cylinder casing in her arms. Data took it from her as she handed it to him. “You don’t own this planet.” She had a strange way of talking. A potent smell flowed from her. It captivated him. All he could do was stare at her as she walked away toward the structure. Juliana noticed Data’s reaction. The feathery little plume and ribbon around her hat bounced with each step. She stopped, turning back toward them. “The trees are silver maples.” She continued walking away. For some odd reason, Data wanted to follow her.

    “Well now. Wasn’t that interesting?” Juliana spoke.

    “How?”

    “A puzzle Data.”

    “A puzzle?”

    “Yes, a puzzle that must be solved.”

    “Why did you jump when she spoke?”

    “I wasn’t expecting anyone to be behind me. It startled me. That is a reflex action we have.”

Paramount Global owns the Star Trek franchise. This is a piece of fan fiction based on Star Trek the Next Generation characters. 

 Easter

    Back on the bridge, Deanna stood up, turning around to face the science station. “Data, what were you thinking?”

    “What do you mean?”

    “With Westerfield right then?”

    “What did I miss?” Wil asked.

    Data didn’t respond. “Data?” She asked again.

    He turned around. “Westerfield is not a nice person. Read his personnel file.”

    “But to test the man on the bridge?”

    “He is a uniform. Nothing more. There used to be power and pride behind the badges. Now there is nothing.”

    “Oh there is something. He hates you.”

    “Good. Then my emotion is not wasted on him.”

    “There still could be a fall out Data; Picard might say something to you.” Wesley remarked.

    “The Captain is getting a sense of what is going on here. He has much more to worry about than me.” Data turned back to his work.

    Geordi, Data, and Wil were sitting around a table in Ten-Forward. The place was alive with activity. The children were parading around in their costumes. Normally, children were not allowed in Ten-Forward. Today was an exception. Guinan had converted the bar into a soda fountain. Instead of serving ale, she was serving banana splits.

   This one little girl had the three of them talking. Most all of the children had on costumes they recognized except her. There were lambs, Easter eggs, Bible figures, ducks; every imaginable Easter idea was covered, with the exception of this little girl.

    Wil got her attention. She was sad as she came over to their table.

    “What’s your name?” Geordi asked.

    “Angelica,” she said shyly. 

    “What are you supposed to be?” Wil asked with a smile.

    “No,” she smiled and giggled. “You have to guess.”

    Data’s mind began to wonder. He was sitting in a study. It was covered from floor to ceiling with media. He knew what the books were. He recognized their form. However, there were other forms that he didn’t recognize. 

    She called to him, “what’s today?”

    “I do not know!” He called back. There was silence.

    “No, what is today?” She asked again.

    “March 28th, Sunday.” He got up to find her and the answer to her question. As he turned, he jumped. She was standing behind him wearing a sheer green teddy with multi-colored egg shaped objects hanging from it. “What are you?” He asked playfully.

    “I am a jellybean tree.” She modeled her costume with delight.

    “What is a jellybean?”

    “They are these wonderful little candies that I love.”

    “I have never eaten a jellybean.”

    “Try one,” she giggled.

    Data smiled, noticing the little girl again. “You look like a jellybean tree.”

    She shrieked, running from the room between Captain Picard and Admiral Westerfield.

    “I did not think my guess was that bad.” They started talking about other things.

    The little girl came back dragging a lady in a blue accented uniform behind her. “Angelica,” she said with frustration in her voice as the little girl continued to drag her toward their table.

    “Tell her, tell her, tell her,” Angelica begged out of breath.

    “Tell her what?” Geordi asked.

   “What the Golden man thought my costume was?”

   “I am really sorry sirs,” her mother apologized.

    Data looked directly at the disheveled lady, “I merely stated, I thought her costume favored a jellybean tree.”

    Angelica shrieked again, jumping up and down with excitement. “That’s right! That’s right! All day long everyone has been trying to guess. Finally,” she sighed. “Someone got it right.” She handed Data a bag.

    “Jellybeans?”

    “Yes, I love jellybeans,” stretching the word love out as only a child can. “They are the greatest.”

    “Thank you.” Data smiled. 

    “Oh no. Thank you.” She left, dragging the poor lady behind her.

    “Well Mr. Data, you made her day.” Deanna remarked. She was wearing the same dress Sher had worn the first day he met her. Much to Sher’s credit, the dress looked much better on her than Counselor Troi. He thought he was going to die inside.

    “I must go.” He held the chair for Deanna. She sat down with a smile. “I am going to take my jellybeans,” he tossed the bag in the air catching it, “and run.” He said playfully.

    Deanna felt darts being thrown at Data from Westerfield.  

Paramount Global owns the Star Trek franchise. This is a piece of fan fiction based on Star Trek the Next Generation characters. 

Debris

    Data walked onto the bridge. “Data, how are you feeling today?”

    He glared at Counselor Troi for a minute, studying her question. “Empty,” came his reply. He took his seat at his station.

    “I didn’t think you had the ability to feel,” Westerfield snapped. He was sitting on the right side of the Captain where Wil normally sat.

    Data ignored him.

    “A lot has happened to Mr. Data in the past two years.” Captain Picard voiced. 

    Data spun around in his chair glaring at Westerfield. “I have a better grasp for feelings than you.”

    “I have been feeling my entire life. I have years of experience over you dear boy.” He chuckled.

    “Experience such as, trying to push yourself off on people that would prefer not to have anything to do with you; or sending people off on missions without the proper authorization. Experience indeed.”

    “I will have you court marshaled for this if you don’t pipe down.” Westerfield was half in his chair, half standing.

    “You do not have proper authorization. According to Star Fleet you have officially retired.”

    “I am not finished yet.”

    Deanna thought the old Admiral would burst into tears.

    “No, you are not. You are to rescue the damsel in distress. Get your metal. And walk away from the Federation with pride and joy. It is not going to happen that way.”

    “I have had about enough of you.”

    Data laughed, “really?”

    His console beeped, he spun back around. “Captain, sensors are picking up debris off the port bow.”

    “Debris!” Westerfield shrieked, jumping out of his chair.

    “Sensors are detecting iridium and platinum.”

    “Right,” Westerfield scoffed.

    “Captain, platinum is a mixing agent for iridium.” Data’s attention didn’t waver from his console. “There are also trace elements of Americium.”

    “That is radioactive.” Geordi remarked.

    “What is it doing out here?” Westerfield chimed in.

    Data didn’t hesitate to say, “we recognize it as Americium; however, a different culture may call it something else.”

    Westerfields’ mind wondered, platinum was very expensive. It was a very useful element. Dollar signs jumped before his eyes. At the same time he gave an outward sigh of relief.

    “Isn’t iridium a strange medal to build a starship with?” Geordi asked.

    “Yes it is. However, this compound is extremely strong. We are assuming this debris is from a starship. If it was, it was built well.” Data answered.

    “And the Americium?” Picard asked.

    Data got up from his console to walk back to the science station where Geordi was. “Since it is a radioactive element, it would be a safe assumption it was used as a propellant.”

    “Number One to the bridge,” moments later Wil stepped onto the bridge. “I will be in lab 3.” Picard stated.

    As the captain began to leave, Westerfield called after him, “I will join you Captain.” He followed the captain into the turbo lift. Once inside he spoke. “I don’t know how you do it Jean-Luc. It has been years since I have been on a starship this long. Already I am weary.” 

    “I guess that is where we are different Charles, I love this. I want nothing more. Stop turbo lift,” Picard instructed as the turbo lift slid to a stop. “What is the friction between you and Lieutenant Commander Data?”

    “I am not sure. But he sure does have a problem with me.”

    “Have you done what he accused you of?”

    “He has been reading my personnel file. I did something bad a long time ago. I got what I deserved.”

    “Is this mission a throwback from that ‘getting what you deserve’?”

    Charles didn’t answer. “Hasn’t Counselor Troi organized a party?”

    “Easter, she thinks it will raise spirits. They have been dragging lately. Everyone is on pins and needles around here.”

    “Easter?”

    “Yes, the children are having an Easter egg hunt in the Arboretum. Later everyone will be in Ten-Forward for Easter treats.”

    “Sounds interesting.”

    “Yes it does.” Jean-Luc smiled.

    “Can we move now?”

    “Start turbo lift.” It slid back into motion.

*

Ten-Forward

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Ten_Forward